In Perea, IU boasts one more 'x-factor'

Hoosiers host Jacksonville before starting conference play

More than one-third of the college basketball season slipped away before Indiana University coach Tom Crean got a glimpse of his fifth-ranked Hoosiers' full potential.

He likes what he sees. So does 7-foot forward Cody Zeller, who now should be confident he'll have help inside as IU heads into bruising Big Ten Conference play in three days at Iowa.

But first comes one final tuneup. The Hoosiers (11-1) close out their nonconference schedule tonight at 7 against Jacksonville at Assembly Hall.

"We need to get better in a lot of different areas, individually and as a team," said Zeller, who leads IU in scoring with 16.4 points and 8.1 rebounds a game. "The Big Ten is tough and we need to be ready."

If freshman Hanner Mosquera-Perea, a 6-8 forward from Istmina, Colombia, continues to progress as he has since becoming eligible two weeks ago, the Hoosiers should be ready.

Mosquera-Perea emerged as the most dynamic frontcourt addition to IU's rotation when he pulled down 10 rebounds in only 14 minutes in last Friday's 88-52 win over Florida Atlantic.

"He's still feeling his way through things, but to get 10 rebounds in that period of time is pretty impressive," said Crean. "He's tough, he's physical and he brings a different demeanor to our team. I don't want to call him an x-factor, because we have a lot of x-factors, but his toughness, his competitiveness and length obviously speaks for itself."

Offensively, Mosquera-Perea still has some work to do. He had three turnovers against FAU, including one where he just lost control of the ball while preparing to go up for a dunk.

"I knew what kind of dunk I was going to do," Mosquera-Perea said. "I was already thinking about it before I caught the ball."

In a game IU led by 30 at halftime, it was nothing more than a measure of comic relief.

Crean said Mosquera-Perea's confidence has risen since he was cleared to play two weeks ago against Butler after serving a nine-game NCAA suspension along with 7-foot freshman Peter Jurkin because of improper benefits.

IU lost an appeal last month that would have allowed both players to gain the experience Crean wanted them to have before Big Ten action began. But now that Mosquera-Perea can suit up, Crean's vision of a deep and balanced rotation is taking shape.

Crean is most excited about the defensive possibilities, because Mosquera-Perea gives the Hoosiers more quickness and strength in the frontcourt.

"He really didn't play very many minutes against Butler, but from one game to the next look at that difference," said Crean. "He'll just continue to get better and better."

Jacksonville (5-7) is led in scoring by 6-4 freshman guard Jarvis Haywood (11.2) and 6-1 junior guard Keith McDougald (10.0), but six different players have led the Dolphins in scoring so far this season.